Money crosses party lines in Inland Empire Assembly race

California's revamped elections system and a dash of political rivalry appear to be factors in an interesting quirk in the race for an inland Assembly seat - one of the region's most prominent Republicans has endorsed and donated to a Democratic office seeker.

The Republican is Jim Brulte, formerly the minority leader of the state Senate and now the head of a California political consultancy.

The Democrat is Cheryl Brown, president of Brown Publishing Co. Her opponent in the race to represent the newly-drawn 47th Assembly District is Joe Baca Jr., a Rialto councilman and former member of the Assembly.

The 47th includes Rialto, Bloomington, Colton, Grand Terrace and parts of Fontana and San Bernardino.

The two Democrats can run against each other in the General Election because the state's voters accepted former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's idea to allow the top two finishers in a primary election run in November, regardless of party affiliation.

Supporters of that idea said it would make races more competitive and give politicians a reason to reach out to members of opposing parties, but political moderation is not the only reason money can move across party lines.

"I'm familiar with both of the candidates. One of the candidate's family spends most of its time trying to build a political empire and Cheryl Brown spends her time trying to help the community. So, easy call," Brulte said.

Brulte gave $3,900 to Brown's campaign, which is the maximum allowed under state law.

Baca Jr. left the Assembly in 2006 when he made a run for the state Senate. His brother, Jeremy Baca, ran to take his place in the lower house.

Had the plan succeeded, three members of the Baca family would have ended up representing the Rialto-San Bernardino area, since brother's father Joe Baca, serves in the House of Representatives.

As it happened, voters instead chose to place Gloria Negrete-McLeod in the state Senate and Wilmer Amina Carter in the Assembly.

Term limits mean Carter cannot continue to serve in the Assembly, so Baca Jr. has a chance to rejoin the Legislature.

He and Brown are both casting themselves as moderates in a district that leans heavily toward their party.

Baca Jr. said he expects his experience in the Assembly on the Rialto council will put him over the top on Election Day, citing his support for the In-N-Out Burger to be built in the city and the planned transformation of Rialto Municipal Airport into a mixed-use development.

"I think the main difference is, I have the experience. I've been there. I have a proven track record," Baca Jr. said.

In response to Brulte's statements, Baca Jr. said the two have found common ground in the past.

"It's funny how things shift and change," Baca Jr. said.

Brown's company publishes the Black Voice News and campaign consultant Phil Giarrizzo said part of their campaign pitch is based on her business experience and trusteeship at St. Paul A.M.E. Church in San Bernardino.

Giarrizzo also said he usually considers Brulte to be a respected political adversary and "warrior Republican."

As far as Brulte's $3,900 goes, the Republican's money can now be used in an attempt to persuade voters of any political stripe.

"We will spend his money across the board," Giarrizzo said.

Beyond Brulte's donation, Giarrizzo said it's too early to tell exactly how California's new elections system will transform the ways partisan figures conduct business with and against each other.

Claremont McKenna college political scientist Jack Pitney had a similar view.

"In this case, the top-two primary is encouraging some degree of cross-party cooperation. But Republican support for Brown has a lot more to do with animosity toward the Baca family than with any policy issues," he wrote in an email.

"The next couple of years will be a test of whether the top-two is working as Schwarzenegger intended. If Republicans and Democrats who are reaching out to the other party actually build centrist voting records, then it will have succeeded. But pressure for party-line voting is pretty intense, particularly on the majority side," he continued.